Musculature exerciser and method

ABSTRACT

A fixed musculature exerciser adapted for a specific cardiovascular training exercise such as a rowing motion includes a plurality of spaced apart support legs including laterally and outwardly extending sponsons acting as stabilization feet. A resilient resistance band can be conveniently and removably secured at both ends between a pair of linearly opposed, spaced apart anchorments secured to the distal end sections of a pair of adjacent sponsons. One end of the resistance band can be detached and the band used for strength training. Additional resistance bands can be similarly secured between other pairs of anchorments on separated sponsons.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. ProvisionalUtility Patent Application Ser. No. 62/041,101, filed 202-06-18,incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise and body development, and moreparticularly to multi-functional fixed exercise apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Fixed exercise machines have long been used in the home, health spas,fitness centers, and weight rooms to provide for the exercise ofspecific muscle groups. For example, one fixed machine might beparticularly adapted to performing biceps curls whereas a completelyseparate machine would be used for leg lifts to exercise the quadricepsmuscles. Other machines such as stationary bicycles and rowing machinesare adapted to provide a workout targeting cardiovascular fitness to theexclusion of strength training. Similarly those machines targetingstrength training may not readily provide for cardiovascular training.Those facilities seeking to provide a wide range of exercises oftenchoose to install dozens of different machines, each specific to one ormore exercises. More machines and the floor space to accommodate themcan increase the cost of operating those facilities significantly.

Rowing machines, such as disclosed in Jonas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,224,typically include a substantially horizontal, linear track upon whichslides a seat. The track is typically supported upon the ground by atleast a pair of legs. Footrests are affixed astride the track. A pullinghandle is tethered to an adjustable resistance module at one end of thetrack. The user can therefore proceed through a sculling or rowingmotion similar to that experienced on a racing shell, boat, or scull byrepeatedly pulling the handle while simultaneously driving an extensionof the legs. This device does not offer what can typically be describedas strength training.

As shown in Giannotti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,776, prior rowing machineshave used cables attached to the legs for various purposes.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus which addresses one or moreof the above identified inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provide animproved exercise apparatus. These and other objects can be achieved byproviding one or more resistance bands detachably secured to specifiedattachment points on an exercise machine.

In some embodiments there is provided a rowing machine having aplurality of resistance bands detachably secured to its support legs.

In some embodiments there is provided an exercise apparatus comprises: afixed exerciser comprising; at least one pair of support legs, whereineach of said pair of support legs comprises: a strut; a sponsonextending laterally from a distal portion of said strut; an anchormentextending from a distal section of said sponson; at least one resistanceband releasably secured to both of said pair of support legs; saidresistance band comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; afirst buckle secured to a first end of said member; a second bucklesecured to a second end of said member; wherein said first buckle isreleasably attached to a first one of said anchorment, and said secondbuckle is releasably attached to a second one of said anchormentopposing said first one of said anchorment.

In some embodiments said anchorment comprises a closed loop of rigidmaterial.

In some embodiments said anchorment extends along a plane substantiallyparallel with said track.

In some embodiments closed loop borders a central aperture shaped anddimensioned to allow a part of either one of said buckles therethrough.

In some embodiments said apparatus further comprises a second of saidpair of anchorments and second resistance band releasably connected tosaid second of said pair of anchorments.

In some embodiments said pair of support legs are adjacent to oneanother, and said anchorments oppose one another in a substantiallylinear alignment parallelly spaced apart from said track.

In some embodiments said anchorments are spaced apart from asubstantially planar floor upon which said apparatus rests.

In some embodiments said resiliently extendable oblong member has anuntensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear lengthlonger than said first linear length.

In some embodiments said fixed exerciser is a rowing machine comprisingan oblong track extending along a first substantially horizontal axis;wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis;wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to and skewedfrom said axis.

In some embodiments said apparatus further comprises a free handlecomprising at least one handle anchorment securable to at least one ofsaid buckles.

In some embodiments there is provided an exercise apparatus comprises: afixed exerciser comprising; a first support leg comprising: a firststrut; a first sponson extending laterally from a first distal portionof said first strut; a first anchorment extending from a first distalsection of said first sponson; a second support leg comprising: a secondstrut; a second sponson extending laterally from a second distal portionof said second strut; a second anchorment extending from a second distalsection of said second sponson; at least one resistance band comprising:resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a firstend of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of saidmember; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to said firstanchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to said secondanchorment.

In some embodiments said first anchorment linearly opposes said secondanchorment.

In some embodiments said first anchorment comprises a first closed loopof rigid material, and wherein said second anchorment comprises a secondclosed loop of rigid material.

In some embodiments there is provided a method for performing acardiovascularly targeted exercise on a fixed exercise apparatus andthereafter performing a strength targeted exercise on said fixedexercise apparatus, wherein said method comprises: selecting a rowingmachine having a pair of supports including a pair of linearly opposedsponsons; forming a pair of linearly opposed anchorments on said pair ofsponsons; securing a resistance band to both of said pair ofanchorments; performing a rowing exercise on said fixed exerciseapparatus; detaching a first end of said resistance band from one ofsaid anchorments while leaving an opposite end of said resistance bandsecured to an other one of said anchorments; and, conducting a strengthexercise using said resistance band after said performing and detaching.

In some embodiments there is provided a combination of a cardiovasculartargeted exercise machine and a resilient resistance band, wherein saidexercise machine comprises: a support structure including a pair ofspaced apart sponsons; a pair of linearly opposed anchorments formed onsaid pair of linearly opposed sponsons; wherein said resistance band issecured to both of said pair of linearly opposed anchorments.

In some embodiments said resistance band comprises: an untensioned firstlinear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than saidfirst linear length.

In some embodiments said exerciser further comprises an oblong bodyextending along a first substantially horizontal axis; wherein saidanchorments align substantially parallel to said axis; wherein saidsponsons extend substantially perpendicular to said axis.

The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein byreference as describing features in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a exercise apparatus in thecardiovascular training configuration where all resistance bands areattached to anchorments according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 2 taken at line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a resistance band.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a exercise apparatus in astrength training configuration where a pair resistance bands arepartially detached from the anchorments according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic flow chart diagram of method for conducting acardiovascular training exercise and thereafter a strength trainingexercise on a single apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In this specification, the references to top, bottom, upward, downward,upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, sideways, lateral, back, front, etc.can be used to provide a clear frame of reference for the variousstructures with respect to other structures while the fixed exercisemachine is resting with its support feet on the ground as shown in FIG.1, and not treated as absolutes when the frame of reference is changed,such as when the machine is inverted or resting on its side.

The term “substantially” can be used in this specification becausemanufacturing imprecision and inaccuracies can lead to non-symmetricityand other inexactitudes in the shape, dimensioning and orientation ofvarious structures. Further, use of “substantially” in connection withcertain geometrical shapes, such as “cylindrical” and “conical”, lettershapes, such as “U-shaped” and orientations, such as “parallel” and“perpendicular”, can be given as a guide to generally describe thefunction of various structures, and to allow for slight departures fromexact mathematical geometrical shapes, letter shapes, and orientations,while providing adequately similar function. Those skilled in the artwill readily appreciate the degree to which a departure can be made fromthe mathematically exact geometrical references.

If used in this specification, the word “axial” is meant to refer todirections, movement, or forces acting substantially parallel with oralong a respective axis, and not to refer to rotational nor radial norangular directions, movement or forces, nor torsional forces unlessotherwise noted.

In this specification the units “millimeter” or “millimeters” can beabbreviated “mm”.

In this specification reference may be made to the use of numerouspatches of hook-and-vane fabric fastener such as VELCRO brand fasteneravailable from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. in which a patch ofhook-and-vane fabric fastener of a first type (either hook or vane) canreleasably fasten to a patch of the opposite type. For example a patchof the hook type would releasably bond to a patch of the vane type. Forclarity such fasteners are referred to in this specification as fabricfasteners, and a patch of fabric fastener will bond to a correspondingpatch of fastener. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatewhich type will best be used for any given patch and whether the type ofmatable patches can be swapped.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a rowingmachine-type exercise apparatus 10 which provides for the performance ofvarious strength exercises in addition to cardiovascular conditioningrowing exercises. The apparatus can include a rigid, substantiallyhorizontal linear track 11 upon which slides and upper seat 12. A handle13 is secured to a the free end of a tether 14 which extends from aresistance module 15 which can resist the extraction of the tether fromthe module during the power stroke, and spool or take up the tetherwithin the module on the recovery stroke. A controller 16 can adjust theresistance on the tether. An angled footrest 17 can be fixed to an uppersurface of the track.

The track 11 can be supported upon the ground by a support structureincluding three legs 21, 31, 41. Each leg, 21 for example, can include asubstantially vertical strut 22 having a proximal portion 23 secured tothe undersurface 18 of the track and a distal portion 24. A pair ofsponsons 25, 26 can extending laterally, substantially perpendicular tothe track, and substantially orthogonally from the distal portion of thestrut to spread the load of the apparatus on the floor and to stabilizethe apparatus. In this embodiment the sponsons associated with a singlesupport leg can extend in substantially opposite directions, and thuscan be firmed by a single, substantially linear, rigid tubular memberwhich can be made from a strong, durable material such as steel. Themember can be welded or otherwise ruggedly fastened to the strut. A pairof end caps 27, 28 made from durable plastic can protect the distal endsof the sponsons and provide for padded contact with the floor.

Each sponson, 25 for example, can be formed by a rigid, oblong body 51that has a proximal section 52 connected to the strut 22 and a freedistal section 53. At least one anchorment 61 can be secured to thedistal section 53 of the sponson.

Each anchorment, 61 for example, can be a closed loop of strong durablematerial such as steel. The anchorment can have a substantially U-shapedbody whose substantially parallel arms 62, 63 connect at their free endsto the sponson. The connection can be a welded or otherwise ruggedlyfastened to the sponson. The anchorment can extend from the sponson in aplane P substantially parallel with the substantially planar floor 2 andthus substantially parallel with the track 11. The anchorment canconnect to the sponson at a location so that the anchorment is spacedapart from the ground by a spacing S. In this way the anchorment can beaccessed from above and below yet does not interfere with the floor norcause a tripping hazard by extending upwardly from the sponson. It shallbe noted that the dimensioning of the anchorment can be selected toattach two or more resistance band buckles to a single anchorment in aside-by-side orientation. Thus, anchorment 66 shows that the dimension Asubstantially perpendicular to the track can be selected to be at leasttwo times the diameter T of the substantially circular cross-sectioncurved rod 97 forming the buckle engagement.

An adjacent sponson 71 on an adjacent leg 31 can have an anchorment 81similarly affixed to its distal section. The anchorment can bepositioned to oppose the anchorment 61 on the neighboring sponson 51.Further, the opposing anchorments can be aligned so that they areparallelly spaced apart from the track. In this way the anchorments canbe said to linearly oppose one another in a spaced apart manner. Thisallows for a resistance band to be stretched between the anchorments ina substantially linear manner, albeit with a slight droop, which issubstantially parallel with the track, enhancing the probability ofavoiding interference with the user during rowing exercises. Further,this allows either end of the resistance band to be detached and usedwhile the other end remains attached to perform a strength exercise asdescribed further below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exercise apparatus can be oblong, extendingalong a substantially horizontal axis 6, and where the anchorments 61,81 between adjacent sponsons 51, 71 align substantially parallel to theaxis, and where the sponsons 51, 71 extend substantially perpendicularand skewed with respect to the axis.

As shown in FIG. 2 the apparatus 10 can have three legs 21, 31, 41, sixsponsons, and eight anchorments. In this embodiment the central sponsons71, 75 each have a pair of anchorments formed on opposite sides of thesponson. At least one resistance band 91 can releasably attach to any ofthe anchorments provided on the sponsons. In the resistance band storageconfiguration where the apparatus is used for cardiovascular training,four resistance bands 91, 99 (others not shown in FIG. 1) can be storedby on the apparatus when stretched between adjacently spaced apartanchorments in a one band to one pair of linearly opposed spaced apartanchorments manner. In this way the anchorments provide readilyavailable attachment points for off-the-shelf resistance bands inabsence of any other fastening structures.

Each resistance band 91 can have resiliently extendable oblong flexiblemember 92 made from fabric coated rubberized elastic material. Themember can therefore have an untensioned first linear length, and atensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length. Themember can have opposite ends 93, 94. Each end can be secured to abuckle 95, 96 such as a carabiner which allows rapid attaching anddetaching to one of the anchorments or to another device such as apullhandle wristbelt, anklebelt, etc. It shall be noted that thecross-sectional diameter D of the anchorment must be smaller than theopening gap G of the carabiner to allow for a part of the buckletherethrough facilitating attachment. Acceptable resistance bands arecommercially available from many manufacturers. One such resistance bandis sold under the brand name Bodylastics from the Anazao Fitness Gearcompany of Denver, Colo.

In this way, the apparatus can provide strength training in absence ofany other tensioning or weight equipment attached to the apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows the exercise apparatus in a configuration in which bothbuckles 95, 96 of all the resistance bands 91 are attached to adjacentlyspaced apart anchorments. This would be the standard resistance bandstorage configuration when the apparatus is used as a rowing machine forexample.

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus 100 in one of a plural number of strengthtraining configurations. In this particular configuration two resistancebands 91, 101 each have one buckle 95, 101 attached to the leg 21furthest from the rowing machine resistance module 15. The other buckles96, 106 are secured to a free handle 111 at a handle anchorment 112. Astanding user can face the free handle and perform biceps curls forexample, or can stand facing away from the free handle and performbehind the neck triceps head targeted exercises. A user can sit on theseat 12 and perform similar exercises with less resistance. The user canalso remove one of the bands to further reduce resistance. Additionalbands can be connected to the same anchorments to enhance resistance.

FIG. 6 shows a method 200 for performing a cardiovascularly targetedexercise on a fixed exercise apparatus and thereafter performing astrength targeted exercise on the same apparatus. The method can includeselecting 201 a rowing machine having a pair of supports including apair of linearly opposed sponsons, and forming 202 a pair of linearlyopposed anchorments on the pair of sponsons. At least one resistanceband can be secured 203 to both of the pair of anchorments. The userfirst performs 204 a rowing exercise on the rowing machine. Afterperforming the rowing exercise, the user can detach 205 a first end ofthe resistance band from one of the anchorments while leaving itsopposite end secured to an other one of the anchorments, then conduct206 a strength exercise using the partially detached resistance band.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described,modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus comprises: a fixedexerciser comprising; at least one pair of support legs, wherein each ofsaid pair of support legs comprises: a strut; a sponson extendinglaterally from a distal portion of said strut; an anchorment extendingfrom a distal section of said sponson; at least one resistance bandreleasably secured to both of said pair of support legs; said resistanceband comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; a first bucklesecured to a first end of said member; a second buckle secured to asecond end of said member; wherein said first buckle is releasablyattached to a first one of said anchorment, and said second buckle isreleasably attached to a second one of said anchorment opposing saidfirst one of said anchorment.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidanchorment comprises a closed loop of rigid material.
 3. The apparatusof claim 2, wherein said anchorment extends along a plane substantiallyparallel with said track.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidclosed loop borders a central aperture shaped and dimensioned to allow apart of either one of said buckles therethrough.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second of said pairof anchorments and second resistance band releasably connected to saidsecond of said pair of anchorments.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid pair of support legs are adjacent to one another, and saidanchorments oppose one another in a substantially linear alignmentparallelly spaced apart from said track.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein said anchorments are spaced apart from a substantially planarfloor upon which said apparatus rests.
 8. The combination of claim 1,wherein said resiliently extendable oblong member has an untensionedfirst linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer thansaid first linear length.
 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein saidfixed exerciser is a rowing machine comprising an oblong track extendingalong a first substantially horizontal axis; wherein said anchormentsalign substantially parallel to said axis; wherein said sponsons extendsubstantially perpendicular to and skewed from said axis.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9, wherein said apparatus further comprises a freehandle comprising at least one handle anchorment securable to at leastone of said buckles.
 11. An exercise apparatus comprises: a fixedexerciser comprising; a first support leg comprising: a first strut; afirst sponson extending laterally from a first distal portion of saidfirst strut; a first anchorment extending from a first distal section ofsaid first sponson; a second support leg comprising: a second strut; asecond sponson extending laterally from a second distal portion of saidsecond strut; a second anchorment extending from a second distal sectionof said second sponson; at least one resistance band comprising:resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a firstend of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of saidmember; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to said firstanchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to said secondanchorment.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first anchormentlinearly opposes said second anchorment.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein said first anchorment comprises a first closed loop of rigidmaterial, and wherein said second anchorment comprises a second closedloop of rigid material.
 14. A method for performing a cardiovascularlytargeted exercise on a fixed exercise apparatus and thereafterperforming a strength targeted exercise on said fixed exerciseapparatus, wherein said method comprises: selecting a rowing machinehaving a pair of supports including a pair of linearly opposed sponsons;forming a pair of linearly opposed anchorments on said pair of sponsons;securing a resistance band to both of said pair of anchorments;performing a rowing exercise on said fixed exercise apparatus; detachinga first end of said resistance band from one of said anchorments whileleaving an opposite end of said resistance band secured to an other oneof said anchorments; and, conducting a strength exercise using saidresistance band after said performing and detaching.
 15. A combinationof a cardiovascular targeted exercise machine and a resilient resistanceband, wherein said exercise machine comprises: a support structureincluding a pair of spaced apart sponsons; a pair of linearly opposedanchorments formed on said pair of linearly opposed sponsons; whereinsaid resistance band is secured to both of said pair of linearly opposedanchorments.
 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said resistanceband comprises: an untensioned first linear length, and a tensionedsecond linear length longer than said first linear length.
 17. Thecombination of claim 15, wherein said exerciser further comprises anoblong body extending along a first substantially horizontal axis;wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis;wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to said axis.